Blow In Attic Insulation Types

Pros and cons of loose fill fiberglass attic insulation.
Blow in attic insulation types. We offer our review of the three most popular types of attic insulation with a look at each one s pros and cons. The most common insulation materials are fiberglass cellulose and foam. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. If you choose to install the insulation yourself follow the manufacturer s instructions and safety precautions carefully and check local building and fire codes.
If your attic or wall insulation is in batt or blanket form whether it s fiberglass cellulose or another material you generally don t have to be concerned about asbestos. Blown in spray foam batts and blankets. Proper attic insulation is the best way to prevent heat loss in the winter and retain cool air in the summer. Insulation types include loose fill batts rolls foam board spray board and vapor barriers.
Loose fill fiberglass seems to dominate attic insulation in new construction homes and has an r value of approximately 2 5 per inch. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The big disadvantage with spray foam is cost.
To evaluate sprayed or blown in types of insulation measure the depth of the insulation and check for gaps in coverage. Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. It s generally 3 to 4 times what you ll pay for blown cellulose or fiberglass.
Your options for attic insulation range from radiant barriers to sheets of mineral wool but most homeowners stick with products made from cellulose or fiberglass. If you don t have hvac and ducts in the attic spray foam on the roofline isn t really necessary. Both types of insulation provide an. I d blow insulation on the attic floor after air sealing of course.
The types of insulation that were most commonly made with asbestos are loose fill also called blown in insulation. You can t simply buy it in bags and spread it around yourself. The three most common types of blown in insulation are loose fill fiberglass cellulose and rock wool each with its own pros and cons. There are three types of blown in insulation.
Like cellulose you need a big machine to blow it in. Which gives the insulation a spongy texture.